Hope, from the series "The Seven Virtues (seated, small, and round)" c. early 20th century

Curator: Here we have “Hope,” one of the “Seven Virtues” in a small, round series, artist unknown, currently residing at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: Its rich brown tone and the swirling frame give it a dreamlike, almost comforting mood—though the figure seems caught in a moment of quiet contemplation. Curator: Indeed. The composition—circular motif enclosed within a square—creates a fascinating interplay of form. Observe the detail in the figure's drapery and the surrounding ornamentation, all rendered in relief. Editor: The vase to the left could be a symbol of potential, waiting to be filled—a tangible expression of hope. There's something profoundly intimate about its small scale; you want to hold it, to understand its secrets. Curator: Precisely. Its dimensions—a mere 6.3 by 5.9 centimeters—invite a close reading, demanding careful attention to its symbolic language and formal arrangement. Editor: It’s amazing how such a tiny piece can evoke such a vast landscape of emotions. It feels like a whispered promise.